The Crisscross Shadow
Page 12
“The masquerade had us fooled for a while. We thought you were in two places at once,” Frank said.
“Well, when I heard about the photograph that had been stolen from our house, it was clear that someone made up to look like me was entering plants in order to sabotage them, so I went after him.
“I didn’t want to be traced, so I swore the hotel clerk to secrecy, and also the detective you put on my trail. I couldn’t afford to let anyone know my plans,” Fenton Hardy explained. “We can discuss the case at home, boys. Right now we’d better turn our prisoners over to the police.”
At dinner Mrs. Hardy and Aunt Gertrude listened eagerly to the outcome of the mystery.
“I told you right from the start Breck was a criminal!” Aunt Gertrude said smugly. “I’ve been working on that myself all this time.”
She went for her purse and produced a clipping several years old.
“The newspaper found this for me,” she said. “Breck’s never been any good. Once he was sent to jail as a confidence man.”
“Nice evidence,” Joe said admiringly.
Miss Hardy was pleased by the compliment and was about to reply when the telephone rang. Frank answered. He listened a few moments. Then, after hanging up, he turned to the others:
“It was Chet. Joe, you and I are to go up to Lantern Junction tomorrow to testify against Breck and Varry.”
Joe grinned. “Never a dull moment.”
The boys phoned Jack Wayne and made arrangements for him to fly them. Upon arriving at Lantern Junction the next morning they went straight to court, where Chet met them. The hearing was in progress. Later the Hardys gave testimony which the prosecutor said would send the swindlers to prison for long terms. And their trial for sabotage was yet to come!
After the hearing, Ted invited the boys and Jack Wayne to a farewell dinner with the Ramapans. “A real Indian feast,” he promised. At the Whitestone house, he made an announcement.
“We understand Chet’s great-grandfather, Ezekiel Morton, was an Indian agent here and was made honorary chief of the Pashunks who used to live nearby. We Ramapans want to honor young Chief Wallapatookunk, which we believe means Eat-a-Whole-Moose.”
Everyone smiled.
“And now, Chet,” Ted continued, “we hope you won’t have any trouble imitating your great-grandfather.”
A whole side of venison was carried in and set before Chet! Everyone in the room roared with laughter.
Frank and Joe were surrounded with gifts the Indians had presented in gratitude for their work in locating the deed and the jeweled dagger. The Hardys had never received a greater ovation for solving a mystery. But another was to come when they had concluded The Yellow Feather Mystery.
“Well, I guess it’s back to the old dull school and football for us now.” Chet sighed as he finished a third helping of venison.
“Dull? Football? Remember our defensive play 86X,” Joe reminded him.
“That play pulled us through a dangerous adventure,” Frank said. “Without it, the Ramapans might not be feasting us so happily tonight.”